Books on a Theme: Royal Romances

by | May 26, 2021 | Books On A Theme, RA Blog

There is something undeniably romantic about a royal wedding. The millions of people who watched Diana marry Prince Charles, and then watched his sons marry the women they fell in love with are proof that people really do fall in love with royals in love. Romance novelists are not immune to how popular royal weddings are–in the past few years there’s been a small boom in royal romances, and they’re still coming out–for both the Adult and the Young Adult audience. I am personally a happy reader of a royal romance; I like the drama and luxury of falling in love in palaces (and uh, outside of palaces, secretly). I’m also super interested in any type of writing that involves building new worlds, and for the most part, royal romances take place in invented countries or in existing countries with invented royal families. The number of ways an author can build a royal family and a new country never cease to amaze me.

Here a few of my faves, a few that are on my TBR, and a few that are coming out in the next few months–so you too can get a royal wedding fix.

 

  1. Red White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston — This book was on my Favorite Reads list for 2020. Adorable hijinks ensue when the first son of the American president and the Prince of Wales cross paths. Seriously fun and seriously cute.
  2. A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole — A mistaken identity romance, where a grad student thinks a prince is a caterer–while the prince knows exactly who she is. It’s a story with twists and turns, but of course, ends happily.
  3. The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan — This book hews incredibly closely to the William and Kate story, including the rascally younger brother (Harry). But not SO closely that ridiculous story elements add to the fun ride towards a happy ending. (Confidential from me to you: skip the sequel.)
  4. The Royal Runaway by Lindsay Emory — Super silly spy caper romance novel with an undercover princess? Check. Happy ending? Check.
  1. American Royals by Katherine McGee — This has been on my TBR (to-be-read) list since before it came out. I love an alternate history plot, and one that includes royal romance? I’m game to try it out.
  2. The Princess Trap by Talia Hibbert — Talia Hibbert’s Brown sisters trilogy is SO GOOD that I want to go back and read some of her older books. This one, with a fake engagement and a real prince sounds divine.
  3. Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean — This book came out LAST WEEK, but it’s been getting lots of good attention, including a nod from Reese Witherspoon’s YA Book Club. I can’t WAIT to dig in. Sounds like it’ll be a modern version of the Princess Diaries but with a Japanese-American teen. 100% can’t wait to read it.
  4. Battle Royal by Lucy Parker — Lucy Parker is my favorite romance novelist that no one has heard of. Battle Royal is her first book with a big publisher (Avon) and I’m so excited for her to pick up new fans! I also got an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this, and I can tell you that it’s wonderful and cakey, with a big ol’ sideplot involving a princess. (Comes out on August 17!)